12 Improvement in Steam Engine Boilers. 



In cases where the grate is extensive, and it is of consequence to 

 distribute the gas throughout the fire, I make use of iron tubes ex- 

 tending from the orifice or orifices of the introducing pipe or pipes, 

 cast with openings inclining downward to avoid being clogged. The 

 additional sections of pipe w^hen used, are easily removed and re- 

 placed, and serve when at a red heat to decompose any water that 

 may, from the said steam pipe, enter with the carburetted hydrogen 

 gas or vapor. 



So far as the fiame extends along the flue, the materials of the 

 fire (which in combustion produce aqueous vapor,) may be decom- 

 posed and recomposed, renewing the heat with new accessions of ox- 

 ygen so long as flame is present in the flue. 



Some estimate of the advantage in point of efficiency from this 

 auxiliary fuel, may be made approximately, from a consideration of 

 the chemical phenomena of combustion. 



In combustion, heat is well known to be produced in the ratio of 

 the quantity of oxygen quickly consumed; and the greatest heat 

 known (except that of the galvanic battery,) is from the rapid con- 

 sumption of oxygen and hydrogen in the proportion to each other 

 which forms water 5 eight parts of oxygen by weight, to one part of 

 hydrogen ; in volume, 1 of oxygen to 2 of hydrogen. But these 

 gases, pure and separate, not being at command for the practical 

 purposes of fuel, the nearest approximation thereto, is this concen- 

 trated fuel, — the use of artificially produced carburetted hydrogen. 



The more convenient materials are perhaps those derived from 

 the pine. The oil of turpentine in common use being an article of 

 merchandize, and always at command, it may be preferable for my 

 purpose. 



Some calculation may be made from the analysis of this liquid 

 by Dr. Ure. At the specific gravity of 800 it contains 56 carbon, 

 4 oxygen, and 40 hydrogen. Consequently, one gallon being eight 

 pounds (troy,) contains 61440 grains less } for specific gravity, we 

 have 49152 grains; wherefore, according to the above proportions, 

 a gallon will contain of oxygen 1966 grains, of carbon 27520 grains, 

 of hydrogen 19667 grains. Then as 100 cubic inches of light car- 

 buretted hydrogen weighs grs. 16,95 (i. e. 12,69 carbon, 4.26 hy- 

 drogen,) these constituents of the gas, the carbon being divided by 

 12,69 gives 2166 times the quantity requisite to 100 cubic inches; 

 using of the hydrogen 2166 x 4.26 = 9227 grains, leaving 10.440 

 grains of hydrogen to combine with the oxygen of the atmosphere. 



